I was supposed to leave on Monday for Israel after months of planning and making reservations with three girlfriends. But then one of our friends suddenly became very ill and was admitted to the hospital. It was, in a word, surreal. How someone can go from healthy to dangerously sick is incredible. Waiting to learn if she was all right last weekend was excruciating. Suddenly the trip didn’t matter one bit. We just wanted her to be OK. Thankfully she is doing better, but was in the hospital nearly a week.
I was so shocked at what happened, I didn’t even have time to be disappointed about missing the trip. We briefly considered going with just two or three of us, but it wouldn’t have been the same. Part of traveling with friends is how much fun you have together sharing similar experiences. We can always plan another trip.
I can’t stress enough the importance of travel insurance. This illness came out of the blue and was totally unexpected. Be sure to check benefits on your credit card too, because it may provide travel insurance. In our case we were covered by both the card and a separate policy. Oh, and something I didn’t know: most insurance companies consider illness of a traveling companion a valid reason for cancellation.
So, I’ll be around this summer until I make a trip to Oregon in August.
In the meantime, here’s an image of the beach I took recently to brighten your day.
Great weekend everyone,
{carole}
Pearls & Prose 
It sure seems like plans can change the flip of a coin basically – love that beautiful picture of the beach. Are you rescheduling?
Thanks, Susan. We will definitely be going in the future. 🙂
There’s always another day. As long as your friend is on the mend.
Yes!
What a compassionate decision of all you friends, cancelling your trip all together. Wishing great recovery to your friend. BTW is this picture taken in the La Jolla area?
Thanks, Cornelia. I’m happy to report that my friend is doing better.
No, that photo was taken at Carlsbad Beach.
That’s quite awful. I’m so sorry to hear this. It must have been so scary. I don’t think I would have gone without her either. I hope she’s feeling better.
She is, Caroline. It really was nightmarish how things went downhill so suddenly.
These incidents always remind me to not take good health for granted. Glad to hear your friend is doing better.
Thanks so much.
Oh, so pity, but, yes, life is unpredictable! Let’s hope your friend will completely recover soon! Take care!
She is doing much better, Ann, thanks!